Richard D. Young Perfumery Co.

The History of the Richard D. Young Perfumery Company, New York

Founded in 1888, the Richard D. Young Perfumery Company was a quintessential example of late Victorian entrepreneurial ambition and innovation in the burgeoning fragrance industry. Initially located at 100 William Street, New York City, the company was strategically positioned in the heart of the city’s financial and commercial hub. In the 1890s, this area was a bustling center of trade, characterized by cobblestone streets teeming with carriages and pedestrians, and lined with stately brick and cast-iron buildings that housed merchants, importers, and manufacturers. This locale provided an ideal setting for a company seeking to attract affluent clients and establish itself among the elite purveyors of fine goods.

By 1890, the company’s perfumes were steadily gaining prominence, with their "staying qualities" becoming a hallmark of the brand. The fragrances were celebrated not only for their longevity but also for their exquisite craftsmanship, which ensured their appeal to a discerning clientele. In subsequent years, the company relocated to 351 Broadway, another prestigious address. Broadway during this era was synonymous with cultural sophistication and commerce, offering proximity to theaters, luxury shops, and other perfume houses, which further elevated the brand's image.

Later, the company operated out of 45 Leonard Street, an area increasingly recognized as a hub for specialty manufacturers and artisanal trades. These locations mirrored the company’s evolution and ambitions, aligning with its commitment to quality and its pursuit of innovation in fragrance production.

Trademark and Reputation

The company’s distinctive trademark—a “Y” nestled within a four-leaf clover—became an emblem of its identity and a symbol of good fortune. While the four-leaf clover was a traditional harbinger of luck, the success of Richard D. Young's perfumes owed more to their inherent quality than to any supposed charm. The perfumes quickly gained favor among the public, with their elegant packaging and evocative scents leaving a lasting impression.

In February 1891, the company was formally incorporated under the laws of New York State. By August of that year, the business had undergone a significant transformation when the Rice Brothers & Tiffany Perfumers of New York acquired all shares of the Richard D. Young Perfumery Company. This acquisition included not only the trade name and trademark but also the modern facilities and formulas that had garnered acclaim.

Signature Creations and Innovations

Richard D. Young's flagship fragrances included "Apple Bloom," "Lily Bells," and "Wild Woodbine," each evoking the natural beauty and delicacy of blooming flora. These perfumes were celebrated for their lightness, persistence, and faithful reproduction of nature's own fragrances. Later additions, such as "Trailing Arbutus" and "Puritan Rose," further solidified the brand’s reputation for olfactory excellence. The company also produced enduring favorites like "Jockey Club," "Persian Flowers," and "Perfect Violet," which were prized for their balance of refinement and lasting appeal.

Mr. John F. Hill, the company’s perfumer, was a driving force behind these creations. With over two decades of experience, including a tenure at Lazell, Daley & Co., Hill brought both technical expertise and artistic instinct to the company. His dedication to crafting authentic and enduring fragrances was a cornerstone of the company's success.

Growth Under New Leadership

By 1893, the company thrived under the leadership of Arthur W. Rice, its president and treasurer. Rice, a seasoned businessman with roots in the pharmaceutical trade, leveraged his knowledge to address the needs of druggists and retailers nationwide. His strategic vision ensured the company’s continued growth, while Hill’s expertise guaranteed the quality of its products. The brand’s fragrances remained true to their mission of capturing the delicate, lasting essence of natural flowers without unnecessary embellishments.

The 1898 Duane Street Fire

In 1898, tragedy struck when a devastating fire consumed the five-story building at 148 Duane Street, where the company had established its headquarters. The fire, which originated on the third floor amidst stores of essential oils and alcohol, was attributed to spontaneous combustion. The loss was significant, with damages estimated at $15,000 to the building and $45,000 to the stock. Despite this setback, the Richard D. Young Perfumery Company’s legacy endured, thanks to the enduring appeal of its products and the resilience of its leadership.

Legacy of Excellence

The Richard D. Young Perfumery Company left an indelible mark on the fragrance industry of the late 19th century. Its commitment to quality, its innovative spirit, and its ability to navigate the competitive landscape of Victorian New York established it as a pioneering force in American perfumery. Through its evocative scents and elegant presentations, the company captured the essence of an era and remains a symbol of a bygone age of refinement and craftsmanship.

This revision incorporates historical and cultural context, enriching the narrative with details that evoke the time and place. Let me know if there are additional areas you'd like to expand upon!

You can read more here on Richard D. Young and his association with Lundborg Perfumery as well as his part in the company Young, Ladd & Coffin.

Richard D. Young Perfumery Fragrance list:

• 1888 Bouquet Araby
• 1888 Prairie Wild
• 1889 American Tea Olive
• 1889 Cherry Blossom
• 1889 Frangipanni
• 1889 Jasamer
• 1889 Jockey Club
• 1889 Lily-Bells
• 1889 Marie Rose
• 1889 Melaura
• 1889 Perfect Violet
• 1889 Puritan Rose
• 1889 Tube Rose
• 1889 West End
• 1889 White Heliotrope
• 1889 White Lilac
• 1889 Wild Woodbine
• 1889 Wistaria Bloom
• 1889 Young's Refreshing Cologne
• 1890 Apple Bloom
• 1890 Florida Water
• 1890 Lavender Toilet Water
• 1890 Persian Flowers
• 1890 Patchouly
• 1890 Perfect Musk
• 1890 Opoponax
• 1890 Stephanotis
• 1890 Violet
• 1890 Young's Triple Extract Lily of the Valley
• 1891 Lillita
• 1891 New Mown Hay
• 1908 Clover Normandie
• 1908 Majestic
• 1910 Shamrock Blossom
• 1910 Sweet Memories
• 1910 Yvonne

Armant Perfumes:

Dr. Edmund S. Armant, a distinguished figure in the perfume industry, was born in France in 1839. He received an excellent education in Paris, culminating in his graduation from the College of Medicine in 1874. Beyond his medical expertise, Dr. Armant claimed to have been affiliated with the esteemed Parisian perfume house Lubin for seventeen years, serving as a perfumer. While this association was later contested, his career in perfumery undeniably reflects his skill and ambition.

Early Career and Move to North America

In 1882, Dr. Armant emigrated from France to Canada, initially settling in Montreal before relocating to New York City. There, he worked for various perfume houses before establishing his own enterprise, Armant & Company, in 1888. The company operated at 215 Washington Street, a bustling commercial district of the time. This location likely contributed to the brand's accessibility and visibility within the growing perfume market of late 19th-century New York.

Armant & Company manufactured a range of perfumes and related products, with Dr. Armant personally overseeing the production processes and engaging directly with customers. The company’s product line gained recognition under the distribution of Herman Loeb & Co., a well-regarded perfumery agent. Despite Armant’s claims of producing goods comparable to Lubin’s perfumes at a fraction of the cost, Lubin published a refutation in 1888, discrediting Armant’s assertion of past employment.

Transition and Expansion

In 1889, Herman Loeb & Co. was acquired by Rice Brothers & Tiffany, who continued distributing the Armant line from 148 Duane Street in New York. Under their management, the Armant brand flourished, offering an array of products including perfumes, toilet waters, sachet powders, and colognes. Their offerings included unique scents such as "Cherry Blossom," "Fleur D’Iris," "Musk," and "True Violet," available in elegantly packaged bottles that appealed to the era's aesthetic sensibilities.

Later Career and Contributions

Following the sale of his perfumery line, Dr. Armant worked for the W.E. Simons Manufacturing Company in Binghamton, NY, as a chemist and perfumer. Although the company produced medium-grade goods, Armant’s expertise ensured their quality met market expectations. In 1906, he launched a new venture, E. Armant & Co., located in a four-story brick building on Washington Street in Binghamton. The facility housed modern laboratories and production rooms for talcum powders, sachets, and flavoring extracts, which were marketed under the “Red Label” brand, emphasizing purity and quality.

Intellectual and Cultural Legacy

Dr. Armant was more than a perfumer; he was a scholar and linguist fluent in five languages. He owned one of the most extensive libraries on perfume and essential oils in the country, demonstrating his dedication to the craft. Additionally, he led the Cercle Français, a cultural club devoted to the study of French language and culture, further cementing his status as an intellectual and cultural figure.

Final Years

After decades of contributions to the perfume industry, Dr. Armant continued to share his expertise through part-time work in Harry Edson’s State Street shop in Binghamton. He remained active in his field until his death on May 24, 1915, leaving behind a rich legacy in perfumery and a family of four children. His innovative spirit and dedication to his craft have solidified his place in the history of perfumery.

Armant's Perfumes:

• 1890 Amrita Concentrated Essence
• 1890 Armant's Imperial Eau de Cologne
• 1890 Bay Rum
• 1890 Beauty Club Concentrated Essence
• 1890 Cherry Blossom Quadruple Extract
• 1890 Doralice Concentrated Essence
• 1890 Early Bloom Concentrated Essence
• 1890 Fleur d'Iris Quadruple Extract
• 1890 Florimel Concentrated Essence
• 1890 Lavender Water
• 1890 Lillita Quadruple Extract
• 1890 Lily of the Valley Quadruple Extract
• 1890 May Blossom Quadruple Extract
• 1890 Morning Bells Concentrated Essence
• 1890 Musk Quadruple Extract
• 1890 Sweet Sixteen Quadruple Extract
• 1890 Trailing Arbutus Quadruple Extract
• 1890 True Violet Quadruple Extract
• 1890 White Lilac Quadruple Extract
• 1890 White Rose Quadruple Extract
• 1891 Frangipanni
• 1891 Heliotrope
• 1891 Jockey Club
• 1891 Lily of the Valley
• 1891 New Mown Hat
• 1891 Stephanotis
• 1891 Wild Olive
• 1891 Ylang Ylang
• 1906 Carnation
• 1906 Carnival Queen

Parfumerie du Lion d'Or:

Ladd & Coffin (Lundborg's) Fragrances:

• 1903 Alpine Violet 
• 1903 Arcadian Pink 
• 1903 Ayli 
• 1903 Bijou 
• 1903 California Water 
• 1903 Centennial 
• 1903 Clovera 
• 1903 Corsage Bouquet 
• 1903 Criterion 
• 1903 Daisy Queen 
• 1903 Edenia 
• 1903 Exquisite 
• 1903 Fairy Frond 
• 1903 Fascination 
• 1903 Florida Blossoms 
• 1903 Forest Pansy 
• 1903 Golden Jasmine 
• 1903 Goya Lily 
• 1903 Harvest Queen 
• 1903 Heather of the Links 
• 1903 Helio Violet 
• 1903 International Cologne 
• 1903 Little Trianon 
• 1903 Marechal Niel Rose 
• 1903 May Pink 
• 1903 Nada Rose 
• 1903 Odorator 
• 1903 Opal 
• 1903 Opera 
• 1903 Peach Blossom 
• 1903 Princess Ada 
• 1903 Recherche 
• 1903 Rhenish Cologne 
• 1903 Rose of Arden 
• 1903 Sweet Spray 
• 1903 Swiss Lilac 
• 1903 Swiss Rose 
• 1903 Tally Ho 
• 1903 Trefoil 
• 1903 Velcrema 
• 1903 Violet Dew 
• 1903 Vio Violet 
• 1903 White Musk